Lower Mustang Trekking

Lower Mustang Trekking is a very rewarding trekking journey for those who want to experience the hospitality of the people living in this region. Mustang is a remote, semi-independent Tibetan kingdom opened to the outside world for trekking in the year 1991 lies just to the north of the Annapurna Region on the Tibetan border, and one of the last bastions of undisturbed Tibetan culture in the world. Lower Mustang Trekking passes through almost tree-less barren landscape. A steep rocky trail climbs up and down hill with panoramic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several other peaks, making a truly memorable trekking.

Lower Mustang Trekking commences from Jomsom, following the trail leading towards the Kali Gandaki River gorge. As we move on the trail get impressive with varied landscapes and pockets of green on either side of the valley. Lower Mustang Trekking trail passes through the villages to the Mani wall, along with exciting villages of Tsaili, Gyakar and contours around the hill and over the Chotare Lapcha Pass, from where we are greeted with breathtaking glimpses of Damodar Himal, Thorongtse, the Nilgiris and Tilicho. Lower Mustang Trekking is an extraordinary trekking journey surprises us with astonishing altitude variations and ecological diversity provide interesting charm and significance to this particular region. Lifestyle adapted to hostile weather conditions under the barren landscapes throughout centuries is amazing and noteworthy. Interesting monasteries, prayer flags swaying around, and the statues of various forms of Buddhist monasteries is spiritual. Being thrilled by our entire trekking stint we regroup and retrace back to Tsarang and camp at Samar village before descending back to the Kali Gandaki river gorge valley and then to Kagbeni and Jomsom. Finally we take a flight and fly back to Pokhara and then to Kathmandu

Lower Mustang Trekking is indeed a one of its kind adventure taking us back to the days of flourishing culture, the ancient traders, monks and religious masterpieces. Make a spiritual journey with us and restore the legacy in your memories forever.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1Day 01:

After Breakfast fly to Pokhara city. Afternoon explore around

Day 2Day 02:

The trek begins from Jomsom after a spectacular flight up the deep Kali andaki river valley with great views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs on either side. Jomsom is the Administrative district headquarters and has a police check-post, radio communication with Kathmandu, an Army camp and the STOL airstrip. One can immediately notice the change in scenery – the scene is trans-Himalayan, arid and rocky, but grand. The barrenness is relieved by splashes of green cultivation. After crossing the wooden bridge to the east bank of the river Kali Gandaki

Day 3Day 03:

The trail passes through the village to the mani walls at the north end. Here pass the police check-post, descend briefly and begin a steep climb up to the broad, loose trail contouring along the east bank gently ascending, descending. A little later bypass Tiri on the other side where the route from Charkabhot (Dolpo) joins the village. Further up the river Gyalungbo drains into the Kali Gandaki and toward noon the village of Tangbeh is sighted. As steep descent is taken and a gentle climb leads to Tangbeh where a lunch stop is made. the trail continues through the village and further up to a group of settlements known as Chusang. ruins of castles litter the hill-tops behind the village, and prehistoric cave dwellings can be seen on the west side of the river high among the arid, wind-eroded, grey, red and ochre cliffs.

The Narsinga khola from the east joins the Kali Gandaki here; the stream is crossed and the tail follows a stretch of the river bank, narrow at parts, skirts the edge where the river has eroded the banks. A new iron bridge is crossed over the Kali Gandaki emerging from a tunnel. More caves are sighted among the cliff walls. Then a steep climb on the other side leads to the village of Tsaili. Approximately six and a half hours.

Day 4Day 04:

From Tsaili it is a steep climb and one sees the village of Gyakar across the deep ravine on the other side. The trail ascends through steep sections alternating with graded sections. There are stupendous cliffs and through the ravine the river Gyakar contours around the hill and over the Chotare Lapcha pass (3500m/11480ft). From here contour gradually to Samar village. The village is named after the red outcrop of rocks to the east. From the pass excellent views of the Damodar Himal, Thorongtse, the Nilgiris and Tilicho can be seen. Samar is a small village among poplar trees which line the irrigation canals that water terraced fields spread out below. Continue along trail through the village to the 3 chortens on the ridge. Descend to cross another stream before the climb to Samar La is taken. After the pass a gradual slope and pass a few houses, climb up to another pass and to a teashop and beyond to Yamda with its single bhatti (teashop). From Yamda climb to the Dawa Lapcha pass (3860m/12660ft) with its large cairn and prayer flags before descending to Syangmuche and its bhatti. Ascend to the next pass, the Lhakpa la (3680m/12070ft) with its chorten and the village of Ghiling can be seen spread out below. Ghiling is a large village with two gompas; it was once an important village for the traders enroute from Tibet. The trail divides further down and the upper trail is taken (the lower one goes to the village) until a few Tamang houses of Tamaghyang are reached. Approximately six and a half hours.

Day 5Day 05:

The trail passes Chorten Karpu a slight gradient to Chaiti with its bhatti and further up the path from the village of Ghiling joins our trail. A steep climb up to the Tseti La pass (3825m/ 12546ft) then descend along the trail until it forks, the upper trail goes to the village of Gemi and the lower trail continues down to the river with its suspension bridge.

Take the lower trail, cross the bridge, and climb up to the other side where there is a long mani wall about 400ft consisting of round stones with mani inscriptions, cemented together by mud into the wall. From the mani wall climb steeply for about 2 hours to the Al Lapcha pass (3715m/ 12185ft). Very good views of Tilicho, Nilgiri peaks, Thorongtse and the Damodar Himal from the pass. Gradually descend until a fork In the trail is met, the upper trail is taken and Tsarang is sighted. Maran, another village, lies to the north and can be seen as we approach Tsarang. Tsaran has a Dzong which formerly housed a King of the region. The dzong can be accessed by a side entrance where dangerous wooden steps are climbed up to the chapel room which contains some fine gilt statues and volumes of Tibetan scriptures brought from Tibet. The scriptures are bound by wooden planks which are intricately carved with deities and motifs. The floor above has the “Defender’s Room” with a standing image of a personal divinity dressed in ancient Tibet armour and various medieval weapons, the beak and claws of a pelican, and a dried and blackened human hand.

The story goes that the King commissioned an architect to build his fort and palace and after it was completed ordered his hand to be cut off so that he would not be able to duplicate it. The Sakya Gompa nearby has several monks living and the main hall has some fine bronze statues of Maitreya, smaller images of Sakyamuni and Vajradhara and numerous splendid thankas. Approximately six hours.

Day 6Day 06:

After crossing the stream north of Tsaran the trail climbs towards the northeast, crests and contours towards the northwest. Two hours walk along a straight stretch brings one to a chorten. The trail is very sandy and from here a slight gradient for 45 minutes, descend for a while and walk east along flat terrain. There are high sandstone cliffs with numerous caves to the east. a gentle climb for about an hour along flat terrain and one arrives at Rober Tsla (3775m/ 12382ft) the final pass into Lo Mantang.

The first village seen from the pass is Namgyal which lies slightly to the northwest of Lo Mantang. As one passes through and begins descent Lo Mantang itself is seen to the right. It is the only waled village on this route. Approximately five hours.

Day 7Day 07:

Lo Mantang means the “Plains of Prayer”. The whole town or city is walled with houses closely packed together with narrow alleys running through them. Since it was built on a plain the walls were essential for defence against bandits and invaders. The king lives in his palace which is the largest residence and easily noticeable among the other houses. The Tibetans referred to the king as “Lo Gyalpo” meaning king of the south, but his name is Jigme Bista. The name Bista was conferred on him by the king of Nepal as an honourary title (Bista is a high caste title in Nepal). The queen is a lady from a noble family in Shigatse, Tibet. The summer palace of the king is in Trenkar. Lo Mantang has three monasteries – the Chamba Lakhang which houses the massive 45 foot statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha; the Thugchen Lakhang with several large images of Sakyamuni, Avolokitsevara, and Maitreya. Sakyamuni is of gilded bronze with the rest terracotta. The third monastery is Chodi of the Sakya sect which has several monks in residence and this is the site of the annual Mani Rimdu festival in May (called “Tegi” in Lo Mantang). Chodi monastery contains numerous small statues and thankas and the monks are often engaged in prayer and chanting.

Half way to the king’s summer palace in Trenkar to the north-west is Namgyal monastery (victory). Namgyal is the largest monastery in Mustang. It is perched on a hill-side above the village of the same name. Its massive are painted in strips of grey, white and yellow. The monastery has a large courtyard inside with galleries around it. The main hall contains a large altar with splendid statues, images and thankas hanging from pillars Lo Mantang has a post office, health post, police check-post where trek permits are checked and radio communication with Jomsom and Kathmandu.

Day 8Day 08:

On the return journey we trek back to Tsarang for lunch and continue to the village of Gem which was bypassed on the walk in. A visit to the monastery is worthwhile.

Day 9Day 09:

Follow the trail over the passes and camp at Samar.

Day 10Day 10:

Drop down steeply to Tsaili and down to the Kali Gandaki to cross the bridge again over the river emerging from the tunnel in the sandstone cliffs. Trek along the east bank with the wind now sweeping strongly against you. Reach Kagbeni late in the afternoon.

Day 11Day 11:

Trek along the east bank, or river bed occasionally, until Jomsom is reached by lunchtime.